Minority Leader and Third Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has stressed the urgent need for political dialogue and national reconciliation in Mali as the country grapples with escalating security and economic crises.
Speaking at the prestigious Crans Montana Forum, Afenyo-Markin joined a high-level panel featuring regional leaders and foreign ministers to discuss pathways to stability in the Sahel.
He commended Mali’s Foreign Minister for asserting that “the peace of Mali means peace for Niger, Burkina Faso, and Morocco,” acknowledging the interconnected security challenges facing the region.
While recognizing Mali’s efforts toward economic self-sufficiency—particularly in agriculture and local industry—Afenyo-Markin raised concerns over the sustainability of the government’s heavy investment in security.
“Allocating 25% of the national budget to security may tackle immediate threats, but what about long-term stability?” he questioned.
The lawmaker urged Malian authorities to prioritize inclusive political engagement, warning that without genuine reconciliation, lasting peace and development would remain elusive. “Beyond military spending, what concrete steps are being taken to bring stakeholders together, foster dialogue, and heal divisions?” he questioned.
His remarks come as Mali continues to face instability from armed groups, political tensions, and economic strain, underscoring the need for a balanced approach combining security with governance reforms.
He challenged the rationale behind Mali’s withdrawal from ECOWAS, suggesting that such a move could reflect disillusionment with the bloc’s peacebuilding mechanisms.
“Has Mali lost faith in a regional community that has historically valued diplomacy, mediation, and integration?” he asked.
The response from Mali’s Foreign Minister was direct and impassioned. “This is not about sustainability; it is about survival. Without that 25%, I wouldn’t be here today. Mali wouldn’t exist. We’re under constant threat from Al-Qaeda and Daesh, and we face it alone, with no external support,” he said.
Defending the government’s approach, the Minister insisted that Mali is not neglecting development but pursuing a balanced strategy that includes investment in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure—despite the heavy burden of security.
Addressing the issue of dialogue, he referenced the 2021 National Dialogue and the ongoing “Inter-Malian Dialogue” as homegrown efforts toward peacebuilding. “We are domesticating our peace process. We will not allow our reconciliation to be dictated from Paris or Washington,” he asserted.
On ECOWAS, the Foreign Minister issued a sharp rebuke. He accused the bloc of betraying its foundational values by imposing sanctions, closing borders, and entertaining the use of force against Niger following recent political upheavals.
“When a regional institution becomes a platform for punitive action rather than protection, trust erodes,” he declared. “Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are defending their sovereignty from an ECOWAS that has strayed from its purpose and become a tool of external interests.”